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At nearly twenty, a veteran in Beijing hotel terms, the China World was the first major hotel to be designed as the centerpiece of an entire complex, with shops, offices and restaurants incorporated into the block-long plot. The property is one of the top properties of the renowned Shangri-La group, which ensures that it is powered by a slick and efficient Hong Kong–European mechanism. It is not for everyone—the gargantuan feel is accentuated by the presence of a sister hotel, the Trader’s, in the complex and a large exhibition center—but it is luxurious, fairly convenient and used to meeting the demands of American and European business and leisure travelers. Interestingly, a portion of its trade these days comes from local Chinese traveling to the capital; they were once intimidated by such grand abodes; the prices, too, tended to scare them off, and also the risk of breaching Western etiquette rules and suffering the resultant loss of face. This changed because of the booming economy. For Westerners, it can serve as a bolt-hole after a long day of sightseeing or meetings; there are plenty of restaurants and bars, in the complex and nearby, that obviate the need to venture back out into the heavy traffic. Rooms from $350.

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There is still only one way to truly arrive in style from the airport: in the gold Rolls-Royces of the Peninsula hotel. The two Rollers were the first in China outside of the British ambassador’s personal model, and were wont to cause a major stir when they glided past the serried ranks of riders on Flying Pigeon bicycles. Limos are common now, but there are still only two gold Rollers, which, when not in use, stand proudly on the forecourt. The gold theme is continued with the hotel’s address—Goldfish Lane—with the usual Pen commitment to silver service at all times. Truth be told, service is not quite as anticipatory as in its Hong Kong flagship hotel is?—but it is delivered with a warmth and sincerity that is rare in China. Regular upgrades have allowed the hotel to keep up with the many new arrivals at the five-star end of the market. Another bonus is the 525-room hotel’s proximity to Tiananmen Square and the shops and malls of Wangfujing Street. Rooms from $350.

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The famous Singapore hotel marque has set up shop in a prime spot in the city—a mere five-minute stroll from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City and located in the same building as the state-run Beijing Hotel, a century-old edifice. While the 171-room Raffles has all the five-star accoutrements, plus a smashing little writers’ bar close to the lobby, it does have a slight whiff of sterility; a more lived-in feeling will doubtless come with age. Update: A regular Beijing visitor was recently blown away by the Raffles’ service and surroundings, suggesting that the hotel has become the city’s hands-down grand address. It’s also where the International Olympic Committee will be based this summer. Rooms from $200.

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A shiny new property in the financial district, on the less developed, western side of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. The suburb, which has little intrinsic interest for visitors, does now have a nucleus of posh properties—the Ritz, Intercon and Westin—and is within striking distance of the city center. The standard Ritz rooms are a generous 535 square feet and feature 37-inch flat-screen television sets. Designers set out to make the lobby lounge different from the China norm, in which bombast usually triumphs over intimacy. They succeeded: the comfy space, with its earthy colors, natural light, hanging birdcages and crystal bar, is a cozy spot. Another novel twist is the “tea apothecary” with its choice of 88 blends; the number is considered auspicious in Chinese culture and, in any event, at least one out of that choice is bound to bring luck. Doubles from $200.

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Set back from the highway, along a leafy lane containing mostly embassies and diplomatic housing, the 273-room St Regis is a rare ocean of tranquility in a generally noisy and crowded city. The hotel has already been block-booked by American sponsors for next year’s Olympic Games: they know it will be a sanctuary from the madness outside. Every inch of the St. Regis exudes luxury and refinement; no corners were cut when building it, and no expense is spared in keeping up that standard—not always the case in China, where lack of investment money for maintenance can see new hotels shed stars quickly. The main lounge, with its marble floors, purple sofas, potted palms and stunning flower arrangements is an excellent spot for afternoon tea or cocktails; and the Press Club Bar is a comfortable cigars-and-whiskey kind of place, with live jazz on some days. It has a large pool, spacious gym and—oddly—a ten-pin bowling alley, apparently because the building owner is keen on the sport. Rooms from $450.